The events currently take place on the patio of 4th Turn Grill. You can bring a cake or other treats if you wish.

Details: The $15 per kid admission is good for all day, typically 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Daytona 500 Experience, 386-681-6350, //daytona500experience.com /group_sales/birthday_parties/. However, you may want to let the kids hit the beach while you're in town.

A good place to headquarter an overnight is Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort. With up to three bedrooms, its condos have plenty of room for sleeping bags. And it's got a water park. Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort, 800-347-9851, www.oceanwalk.com.

ZOO-PER FUN

Every birthday is a big occasion when kids are in grade school, so if you're looking to leave the realm of ho-hum, why not rent out an entire zoo? Okay, it's possible but pricey: upwards of $10,000 to rent Brevard Zoo in Melbourne for a day. That includes train rides, kayaking (must be age 5 or older), feeding giraffes and lorikeets, and having 550 animals all to your child and his or her best friends.

Looking for something a little less ka-ching? Brevard Zoo has designed a number of experiences for prices from $220 to $1,000.

Since we're talking over-the-top, let's start with the intimate $1,000 Breakfast with the Giraffes for up to 10 guests. Feed the over-the-top animals, then sit down to continental breakfast for your group.

If you're looking for an easy way to celebrate and spend the night, get together a group of 15 to 25 for a variety of Overnight Adventures at $40 per person (one free adult per 10 kids). Tip: Call ahead well in advance (at least two weeks) to reserve your Friday or Saturday night adventure.

Themes include Nocturnal Nights, Wild Florida, Radical Rainforests and Birthday Sleepover. During the course of the party, kids enjoy animal presentations, hands-on interactions, snacks, a flashlight safari, sleeping bag accommodations in one of three classroom venues (Cave, Treehouse, or Lagoon Landing), and continental breakfast.

Brevard Zoo also offers daytime birthday bashes such as the Bedrock Birthday in the Cave, Treetop Tango in the Treehouse, and Manatee Mambo in the Lagoon Landing. Cost for these start at $220 for 10 to 15 people for 90 minutes on Saturday or Sunday morning or afternoon.

Other options include Wildlife Detective Birthdays and Night Hike Birthdays in the afternoon and evening hours that run $19 to $25 per person. Pizza and lemonade are included; guests are welcome to bring birthday cake and other food.

Goodie bags, train rides, and duck food can be added for a fee.

It's worth noting that the zoo also recently opened a major new exhibit for children and families that features a water play area, 20,000-gallon outdoor aquarium, and a new petting zone.

Details: Brevard Zoo, 321-254-9453, www.brevardzoo.org/education.

If you opt for one of the day parties and need lodging to accommodate a gaggle of little ones, Doubletree Guest Suites two-bedroom oceanfront suites on Melbourne Beach fit the bill. Doubletree Guest Suites Melbourne Beach Oceanfront, 321-723-4222, www.doubletree.com.

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